Chapter 25: Moving to the Sky

"However, for now, food and water aren't the main concern. After all, we can find more food if it runs out. But if we are threatened by that rat... we only have one life, so we must come up with a foolproof plan!" Ji Chang pondered, his voice solemn.

After a brief moment of silence among the group, Chen Lingxue furrowed her brows and spoke, "Currently, it seems that moving might be the solution. Initially, we established this place as a stronghold primarily to guard against the threat of large insects or animals. But now, it seems that this place is not sufficient to ensure our safety."

"Move? But where can we move to? Move out of this house? That doesn't seem very practical, right? The courtyard is much more dangerous than inside the house!" Zheng Haiyu wore a bitter expression.

Seeing this, Zhou Jun also let out a sigh, "Not moving out means moving itself wouldn't have much significance. After all, creatures like rats could potentially appear anywhere inside the house."

"Ji-ge, do you think... do you think it's possible for us to eliminate that rat?" Without paying heed to the banter of the others, Huang Mang looked at Ji Chang earnestly, seeking an answer.

Hearing Huang Mang's question, Ji Chang shook his head ever so slightly.

Having experienced rat-catching at the temple, Ji Chang was well aware of the capabilities of rats. Not only were they fast, but their claws and teeth were also incredibly sharp, capable of easily tearing open sacks.

Now, the idea of exterminating rats was simply impossible. At least with their current extraordinary abilities, it was an unattainable goal.

"Can we reinforce our base to fend off rat attacks?" Dong Xuan cautiously looked at the group, asking her question.

"No, I've heard rats can dig holes quite effectively. I saw on TV before that they can even tunnel through cement walls. What kind of reinforcement can withstand rats?" Wang Lingling shook her head.

"Exactly, as long as we have food and water, wherever we move to, rats will follow!" Chen Lingxue gave a bitter smile.

She, who usually had a plethora of solutions, felt a trace of helplessness at this moment. Those were rats after all. If it were insects or something similar, she might still have some methods, considering their current extraordinary strength. However, facing rats, creatures much stronger than insects, it seemed that any effort would be in vain.

"It seems that moving is the best solution now." As everyone exchanged their thoughts, Ji Chang nodded slowly and said, "However, we need to think carefully about where to move."

"Sigh, can't exterminate the rats... If only we could live in the sky, beyond the rats' reach." Unable to eliminate the rats, Huang Mang joked.

Though it was just a jest from Huang Mang, Ji Chang's eyes lit up.

"Haha, Mangzi's got a point. Rats can't be eradicated, but we can move to live above, where rats can't reach us." Ji Chang grinned and repeatedly praised Huang Mang.

"Huh? Move to the sky? Ji-ge, don't tease me, I was just speaking casually!" Seeing the smile on Ji Chang's face, Huang Mang wore a bitter expression.

It wasn't just Huang Mang; even Chen Lingxue and the others looked at Ji Chang with confusion.

"Of course, I'm not suggesting actually moving to the sky, but moving to higher ground!"

Ji Chang gazed at the puzzled group and continued, "We can move up to the writing desk. When Mangzi and I were looking for paper earlier, we saw a writing desk against the wall. There are no other pieces of furniture on either side of the writing desk. I believe that with the height of the writing desk, rats definitely won't be able to climb up, unless they have wings!"

After the group finished listening to Ji Chang's plan, they all had a moment of realization. At this moment, Chen Lingxue hesitated and asked, "The writing desk is indeed a good idea, but Ji-ge, how do we solve the issue of going up and down? We can't just ride your wasp every time, can we?"

"It seems that this is the only option now." Ji Chang nodded.

This was the only method he could currently think of to prevent rats from attacking them. Although moving to the writing desk would indeed be troublesome in terms of going up and down, at least they would be alive, and a little trouble was nothing compared to that.

Thus, the group quickly began to act according to Ji Chang's plan and headed towards the direction of the writing desk.

At the moment, they didn't need to carry too many things with them. Just things like pots, bowls, and utensils, which weren't heavy. This included the vegetables Ji Chang had brought back earlier and the salt blocks they had just found in the kitchen. All of this was handed over to Wang Lingling.

Ji Chang started moving the barrels filled with water along with the rest of the group. The distance to the writing desk from their base wasn't too far, around four or five meters. Also, the bedroom had a tiled floor, so Huang Mang, relying on his sturdy metallic body, managed to drag two barrels filled with water on his own. Zhou Jun and Zheng Haiyu were pulling one barrel together, while Chen Lingxue, Dong Xuan, and an ant were handling another barrel.

After about half an hour of effort, they arrived beneath the writing desk. Looking up at the one-meter-high writing desk, Chen Lingxue and the others felt a slight dizziness. Just as Chen Lingxue was about to inquire how Ji Chang planned to get the barrels onto the writing desk, Ji Chang's voice reached them.

"I'll send all of you up first. Mangzi, wait below and help me move the barrels onto the wasp later!"

After instructing Huang Mang, Ji Chang signaled the remaining group members to climb onto the wasp's back. Then, Ji Chang extended his palm and gently rubbed the wasp's legs, channeling waves of pure mental energy into the wasp's body.

The next moment, the wasp carrying Chen Lingxue and the others took off by flapping its wings. After a few breaths, as they felt the pressure from the wasp decrease, Ji Chang knew that they had reached the top of the writing desk. He then gestured for the wasp to fly back down.

"Ji-ge, let me help too. Let me try!" Just as the wasp returned to the ground and Ji Chang and Huang Mang were about to move the barrels, Wang Lingling descended from above.

Without saying much to Ji Chang and Huang Mang, Wang Lingling flew to the side of one of the barrels, lifting the barrel filled with water in her embrace. With the rapid movement of her winged back, Wang Lingling actually lifted off the ground.

"Hey, be careful, Lingling!" Watching Wang Lingling ascend higher, Huang Mang called out with concern from the ground. Although he was worried, he couldn't help but be amazed as well.

Ji Chang was equally surprised. Although he had known that Wang Lingling's wings of light and shadow were growing stronger along with her enhanced abilities, he hadn't expected her to be able to fly while holding a barrel filled with water.

"Ji-ge, you don't have to worry about these two barrels. Leave them to me!" Seemingly motivated by Wang Lingling's actions, Huang Mang swung his big hand and gathered the two barrels behind him.

"But how are you going to go up?" Seeing this, Ji Chang smirked and asked.